Robert Redford: Oscar-Winning Star & Champion Of Independent Film, Leaves A Lasting Legacy At 89

Robert Redford, the Academy Award–winning actor, director, and lifelong advocate for independent cinema, died on September 16, 2025, at his home in Sundance, Utah. He was 89.

Over a career spanning six decades, Redford became one of Hollywood’s most enduring leading men, known for his golden-haired charisma, nuanced performances, and quiet integrity on and off screen.

His roles in classics such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), All the President’s Men (1976), and Out of Africa (1985) made him a global star and an icon of American cinema.

There are certain people you know that you’re going to click with. After working with Robert Redford on Brubaker in 1980, we instantly became friends. Working with him again in An Unfinished Life was a dream come true.

Rest peacefully, my friend. pic.twitter.com/gYEgi8YiFt

— Morgan Freeman (@morgan_freeman) September 16, 2025

Born Charles Robert Redford Jr. on August 18, 1936, in Santa Monica, California, he grew up in Los Angeles and briefly attended the University of Colorado before pursuing acting in New York.

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He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his career on stage, making his Broadway debut in Barefoot in the Park (1963). His early television appearances in series such as The Twilight Zone and Perry Mason soon gave way to film offers.

His breakthrough came opposite Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This film not only defined his career but also gave its name to Redford’s future passion project: the Sundance Institute and Sundance Film Festival. Established in the 1980s, the festival became the preeminent showcase for independent cinema, launching the careers of countless filmmakers.

Redford won the Academy Award for Best Director with his debut feature, Ordinary People (1980), a quietly devastating family drama. He was later nominated for directing the Quiz Show (1994) and remained respected for his ability to bring depth and restraint to his work behind the camera.

Before Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks stole our hearts in romcoms, there was Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. Barefoot In The Park is still a fabulously fun movie, and proof that love needs laughter.
R.I.P. Mr Redford. pic.twitter.com/BfLCKkIvcu

— Rachel C. Goodhand (@RachelCGoodhand) September 16, 2025

Throughout his life, Redford was equally known for his environmental and political activism. He campaigned for conservation, supported Native American rights, and used his platform to promote progressive causes.

His work in this field earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, awarded by President Barack Obama, who called him “an extraordinary storyteller, visionary, and advocate.”

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In his personal life, Redford was married twice: first to historian Lola Van Wagenen, with whom he had four children, and later to German-born painter Sibylle Szaggars, his wife until his death. He endured personal tragedy with the loss of his infant son Scott in 1959, yet remained devoted to his family and frequently collaborated with his children in creative and philanthropic ventures.

Redford’s honours included a Kennedy Centre Honour in 2005, a BAFTA Fellowship, a Golden Globe for The Sting, and an honorary Academy Award recognising his “inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere.”

He formally announced his retirement from acting in 2018, following his role in The Old Man & the Gun, though he continued to oversee Sundance and contribute to environmental and political causes.

Robert Redford is survived by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars; his children, Shauna, Jamie, and Amy; and several grandchildren.

Few figures in American culture have managed to bridge artistry, activism, and stardom as seamlessly as Robert Redford. His legacy endures in the films he made, the filmmakers he inspired, and the festival that bears the name of his most famous role.

Tributes to Robert Redford

• Antonio Banderas: “An icon of cinema in every sense. Rest in peace.”

  Robert Redford leaves us, an icon of cinema in every sense. Actor, director, producer, and founder of the Sundance Festival. His talent will continue to move us forever, shining through the frames and in our memory. RIP.

  Nos deja Robert Redford, un icono del cine con mayúsculas.… pic.twitter.com/exQP88HgbS

  — Antonio Banderas (@antoniobanderas) September 16, 2025

• Meryl Streep: “One of the lions has passed. Bob was an original—an independent spirit, a great artist, a fearless activist, and a wonderful man. I was lucky to work with him, and lucky to know him. I will miss him terribly.”

• Jane Fonda: “He was a beautiful person in every way. I can’t stop crying.”

• James Gunn: “I’ve said this often, but Redford is THE movie star for me. His quiet, unforced performances and ever-present grace has been something I’ve strived toward throughout my career.”

• Ron Howard: “Artistic Gamechanger. Every conversation, project & encounter w/ him was meaningful.”

• Hillary Clinton: “Robert Redford was a true American icon. From his groundbreaking performances to his advocacy for the environment and the arts, he leaves a legacy that will inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and all who loved him.”

• Jamie Lee Curtis: “A LIFE! FAMILY • ART • TRANSFORMATION • ADVOCACY • CREATION • LEGACY. All of it was in his life. #robertredford.”

• Donald Trump: “Robert Redford had a series of years where there was nobody better. Nobody could top him. He was the hottest, and he never lost that spark.”

• Stephen King: “The hottest movie star of his time, and a great talent behind the camera as well. Rest easy, Sundance Kid.”

• Noel Fielding: “RIP Robert Redford! A truly great movie star. So handsome my eyes hurt looking at you.”

• Piers Morgan: “Robert Redford was a true Hollywood legend. Butch Cassidy, The Sting, The Way We Were, All The President’s Men… so many brilliant movies. RIP.”

• William Shatner: “Farewell, Robert Redford. Your talent, activism, and vision made the world brighter. You will be missed.”

• Colman Domingo: “We lost a giant today. Redford’s artistry, activism, and humanity shaped the very idea of what it means to be a movie star and a citizen of the world. Thank you for your courage and your craft.”